Rhapsody in Blue (1945)

Director:

Irving Rapper

Writers:

Howard Koch (writer)
Sonya Levien (story)

Release Date:

22 September 1945 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Musical

Tagline:

The jubilant story of George Gershwin.

Plot:

Composer George Gershwin is driven by his need to succeed. Unfortunately his drive destroys his romantic relationships with singer Julie Adams...

Plot Keywords:

Composer | Beautiful Woman

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Robert Alda	...	George Gershwin
Joan Leslie	...	Julie Adams
Alexis Smith	...	Christine Gilbert
Charles Coburn	...	Max Dreyfus
Julie Bishop	...	Lee Gershwin
Albert Bassermann	...	Prof. Franck
Morris Carnovsky	...	Poppa Morris Gershwin
Rosemary DeCamp	...	Momma Rose Gershwin
Oscar Levant	...	Himself
Paul Whiteman	...	Himself
Al Jolson	...	Himself
George White	...	Himself
Hazel Scott	...	Herself
Anne Brown	...	Herself - as Bess
Herbert Rudley	...	Ira Gershwin

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Germany:16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Oscar Levant had three functions in this film: he provided George Gershwin's piano playing as Robert Alda's double, he portrayed himself on screen and he was heard playing piano on the soundtrack as himself, Oscar Levant, in the commemorative performance of "Rhapsody in Blue" which ends the film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The opening credits say "Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin", when in fact George wrote the music and Ira wrote the lyrics. None of the other lyricists in the film, including DuBose Heyward, who wrote the lyrics to "Summertime", are credited.

Quotes:

George Gershwin: I don't want to be just a concert pianist. I want to use the piano as a stepping stone!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hollywood Wonderland (1947)

Soundtrack:

Cuban Overture

A Very Good Composer Bio

The "Gershwin Years" were very exciting times, and the life and career of George --and his brother, Ira--are well captured in this memorable classic, "Rhapsody in Blue." Tackling this subject was a difficult one, and it manages to reveal the composer's exuberance for his art, his trials and his successes. Robert Alda is a perfect choice for George; others making fine contributions are Oscar Levant and Alexis Smith. A host of great artists, many playing themselves round out a star-studded cast. A wonderful selection of Gershwin's works are represented, some in near-complete versions. This is one of the most successful of classical composer bios ever brought to the screen. It is a cherished part of my video library, and I thoroughly enjoy watching and listening to this recreation of the life, times, and music of one of American's great composers.